Wow, not sure how I missed this one – the Bliptronic 5000, a relatively low-cost (aka hackable) melody grid sequencer from ThinkGeek. The 50-dollar device sports 8 casio-esque voices, tempo control, and can be linked up with additional units to play longer sequences. CDM posted an interview with product dev Ty Liotta revealing a very awesome early prototype version –

The switches were intended to be a cost-saving measure, but the engineers figured out that it was actually a little bit cheaper to use LEDs and the plastic buttons. The sounds come from a standard Casio-type FM synth chip, which is controlled by the onboard sequencer/logic chip. The Bliptronic can be chained together with other units to form longer sequences via the sync jack on the side, which operates via voltage pulses.

Born, drew a lot, made video, made music on 4-track, then computer, more songwriting, met future wife, went to art school for video major, made websites, toured in a band, worked as web media tech, discovered electronics, taught myself electronics, blogged about DIY electronics, made web videos about electronics and made music for them … and I still do!